Welcome To Solomon Islands In Focus

As a long­time friend of the Solomon Islands, let me say the aim of this website is to bring you news about the Solomon Islands, promote tourism to the "Happy Isles” and generate donations for causes in the Solomons that will provide income for charitable institutions dependent on aid and help to give much needed money for local craftsmen and women.

I would encourage you to see for yourself a most unique and different part of the world and meet friendly, hospitable people while enjoying the sheer delights and beauty of a easy accessible Pacific paradise.

“A high level taskforce from Peoples Republic of China (PRC) are here to set up their country’s Embassy in Honiara, a first step to establish the official channel to communicate the common interests of both countries.

“The taskforce is led by Counsellor (Political) and Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of the PRC in Papua New Guinea, Yao Ming.

Mr Ming in a Press Conference with Media yesterday said they are so happy to have a new bilateral relationship with Solomon Islands.

A news bulletin on Radio New Zealand on Monday this week said a youth-led project to empower deaf communities in the Pacific region had been granted US funding to further their need for equality.

The particular capacity building project is aimed at assisting deaf communities in both Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

One of the project leaders, Krishneer Sen, said their research project would help ensure people with disabilities could exercise their rights, so no one would be left behind in society.

The pair received US funding from the Pacific Youth Leadership grant.

Having the needs of deaf persons in the Solomon Islands in mind, I was interested to learn more about the US sponsored Young Pacific Grant scheme and this is what I discovered by some internet searching.

I quote.

“WASHINGTON – Twelve winners have been announced for the U. S. Department of State’s 2018 Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Small Grants Program. The selected teams, representing 11 different Pacific countries, will receive up to $13,750 in grant-funding to implement projects in the region related to the program’s core themes of education, environment and resource management, civic leadership, and economic and social development.

“In addition to funding, YPL grantees attended a kick-off workshop in Auckland, New Zealand on May 10-11, where they refined their project ideas and learned more about successful grant management. The teams will receive mentorship throughout the year to help ensure their project’s success.”

“The 2018 YPL Small Grants Program launched in January and was open to alumni from previous conferences. Alumni include young leaders, aged 20 to 35, from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the American-affiliated Pacific (Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa).”

“2018 Young Pacific Leaders Small Grants Program Awardees:

Kaitiaki GenerationNew Zealand and Hawaii A collaborative exchange between Māori and Kanaka ʻŌiwi communities on traditional knowledge and western science.

Youth-4-Change Mentoring ProgramThe Federated States of Micronesia Youth leadership and mentorship training program to help young peer leaders provide for at-risk youths in Micronesian communities.

Project SechelikPalau To promote literacy and indigenous language in Palau by publishing and distributing an original colorful children’s book written in Palauan.

Training in Jolly PhonicsPapua New Guinea Providing skills-based training to elementary school teachers in the Kerowagi District of Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea.

Community Building and Engagement for Deaf PersonsFiji and Papua New Guinea Enhancing deaf peoples’ opportunity to be an equal citizen in their society through community empowerment, civic leadership, and training.

Sustainable Livelihood ProjectFiji Training farmers in Wairuarua Village to develop, implement, and further sustainable livelihoods through permaculture and traditional farming methods.

Removal of Sargassum SeaweedTuvalu Community engagement and environmental clean-up initiative to remove invasive seaweed species and improve coral reef health.

LE VĀ TALANOASamoa A cultural heritage workshop focusing on Samoan architecture and working to bridge the gaps in generational knowledge.

Language Roots the Tree of CultureNiue A cultural bridge between Niuean youth in-country and those living overseas to promote and preserve cultural heritage.

Early Literacy- Let’s Read Vanuatu Early literacy initiative targeting children under the age of three.”

The Solomon Islands has many young, talented leaders already involved in the kind of projects for which US Embassy grants have been awarded this year and in past years, so I would strongly encourage those young leaders to prepare their own projects and to bid for grants the next time around.

“Dr Hair said surgeons can get guidance with chronic problems like cancer and hepatitis as well as potentially lethal acute situations.

"Problems commonly are ulcer disease of the stomach. Problems with swallowing foreign objects such as fish bones and increasingly little button batteries and coins that children often swallow ... and bleeding issues from the gut," he said.

"So, sort of the emergency things, the availability of endoscopy means that those conditions can be diagnosed and in many of the places those emergency conditions can be treated.

“Dr Hair said many patients are now surviving after receiving prompt care from doctors who are more skilled and supported.”

I would appeal to the Australia and New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association to consider extending the pro bono training assistance to doctors in the Solomon Islands, especially all those diagnosing and dealing with the range of liver disease, cancer and hepatitis cases.